Inking mechanism



L. J. ZAHN Jul 9, 1929.

INKING MEGHANI SM Filed Nov. 4, 1927 Fig 1.

INVENTOR LAWRENCE J. ZAHN BY A ATTORNEY Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,120,194 PATENT OFFICE.

LAWRENCE J. ZAI-IN, OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INTER- NATIONAL POSTAL SUPPLY COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

INKING MECHANISM.

Application filed November This invention relates to improvements in an inking mechanism used in connection with mail marking, check endorsing and other similar machines.

In my joint application with Frederick F.

Randall, Serial No. 207,433 filed July 21st,

1927, there is described a check endorsing ma chine in which substantially the same inking mechanism is described as is shown herein with the exception of ray-present improvement, which relates to ink controlling means. In the joint application above referred to, the ink controller consists of a roller in engagement with the ink feed roll.

In an inking device of the character herein described, the question of getting the right amount of ink onto the absorbent roller so that the printing die will get the correct amount of ink. is considerable of a problem and it is the object of my present invention to provide a new and improved ink wiper or evener, which will give a better control of the distribution and feeding of the ink, from the feed roller to the absorbent roller.

My invention will be readily understood by reference to the attached drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the ink receptacle which carries the feed roller and absorbent roller, together with my improved ink wiper or evener.

Fig. 2 is a detailed view showing the method of mounting the feed roller in the receptacle.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of part of the check endorsing machine as described in said Zahn-Randall application, showing my improved form of evener.

Fig. at is a sectional view through the evener showing a fragment of the said feed roller engaged by the evener.

In the drawing 1 is a part of the framework of the machine, to which is attached a frame member 2 by means of a pivotal mounting 3. At one extremity of the frame 2, is the die mechanismwhich is operatedby a clutch roller 4, in the manner shown and described in thesaid Zahn-Randall application; 5 is the drive and platen roller. which drives the clutch roller 4. Mounted on the frame 1, is an auxiliary frame 6, which forms a receptacle 7 for the ink, the opposite sides of the receptacle having extended portions 8, which are slotted at 9, and in these slots is positioned the support ends of an absorbent roller 10. IVhen the machine is not functioning the roller 10 is out of con- 4, 1927. Serial No. 231,002.

tact with the die, as is indicated in Figure 1, by the clearance space 11, but since it is usual practice to have the die plate extend beyond the periphery of the rest of the die when the die is turned, the die plate then comes into contact with the absorbent roller 10, picking up ink therefrom. Mounted between the side walls of the receptacle is a feed roller 13; the mounting shown comprises a screw 12 having a tapered end to fit a corresponding socket in the end of the roller 13. A look nut 14 is used to hold the bearing screw 12 in position. The absorbent roller 10 is held in engagement with the feed roller 13, by means of a pair of springs 15, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. The side members 8 have vertically positioned slots 16 within which are positioned the shaft ends 17, carrying my improved wiper or evener 18. This wiper or evener is star shaped the points of the star terminating in relatively sharp edges, and this star shaped device is so positioned that the sharp edges of two points of the star, simultaneously engage in spaced relationship, the peripheral surface of the feed roller 10. The wiper or evener has preferably an even number of points, so that as any one pair become worn by use, the evener may be turned so as to bring another pair of unworn points or edges into contact with the feed roller. Substantially the same contact is obtained at the surface of the feed roller by this construction and the degree of pressure is regulated by a pairof springs 19, the tension of each of which is controlled by the set screw 20; one end of each of the springs 19 is positioned in the frame by any satisfactory means, as by a pin 21. The stud 22. at the other end of the springs 19 is adapted to engage the bearing end 17 of the wiper thereby holding it in resilient engagement with the feed roller 13.

In order to insure that the said roller 13 shall travel always in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 3) a spring 23 is utilized to engage a ratchet wheel 24:, securely attached to the end of the feed roller 13. If the feed roller 13 is permitted to move for any reason in the opposite direction, the absorbent roller would become smeared with ink, with consequent unsatisfactory results during the printing operation of the die.

I have found that in this construction of ink wiper or evener that the space 25 between the two points of the star device, in engagement with the feed roller, traps a certain amount of ink, which passes the first engaging edge of the star shaped wiper, and this trapped ink assists in obtaining an even dis tribution of a very thin film of ink over the feed roller 13, and the results thus obtained are greately superior to other devices of this kind, with which I am familiar.

It may be said in passing that the auxiliary frame 6 comprising the receptacle and carrying the parts described, is adjustable on the frame 2, through the medium of slots 26, adjusting screws 27 and lock screws 28, whereby an adjustment is obtained between the ab sorbent roller 10 and the die structure.

It will be apparent that my invention is applicable to other a 'rangements than that disclosed herein and I therefore do not wish to be unduly limited in the interpretation of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, an ink receptacle, an ink feed roller mounted for retation within the receptacle an absorbent roller for taking ink from said feed roller, for transference to a utilizing device, means for regulating the amount of ink carried by the ink feeo roller to the absorbent roller, said means comprising a device having a plurality of scraper portions arranged in circumferentially-spaced relationship, said device having the scraper portions movable about its axis, for bringing into cooperation with the feed roller, different pairs of said scraper portions.

2. In a device of the class c escribed, an ink receptacle, an inkfeed roller mounted for retation within the receptacle an absorbent roller for taking ink from said feed roller, for transference to a utilizing device, means for regulating the amount of ink carried by the ink feed roller to the absorbent roller, said means comprising a star shaped device having an even number of portions terminating in scraping edges and so positioned that a pair of said edges may be simultaneously brought into operative relationship with the feed roller, and means for adjusting the relation of said edges with the periphery of the feed roller.

3. In an inking mechanism including an ink feed roller, means for supplying ink thereto, and a roller for taking ink therefrom, an ink regulating device associated with the feed roller comprising a plurality of scraper portions arranged in spaced relation on and in simultaneous engagement with the periphery of the feed roller, said regulating device being rotatable on its bearings for adj usting said scraper portions with respect to the what surface of the feed roller and means for holding said device in its adjusted position.

4. In an inking mechanism including an ink feed roller, means for supplying ink thereto and a roller for taking ink therefrom, an ink regulating device associated with the feed roller comprising; a plurality of scraper portions arranged in spaced symmetrical re lation so any two adjacent scraper portions may be brought into operative position on the surface of the feed roller, 'said regulating device being rotatable on its bearings for adj usting the relation of the scrapers with said feed roller surface and means for holding sai l device in its adjusted position.

5. In an inking mechanism including an ink feed roller, means for supplying ink thereto and a roller for taking ink therefrom, means for preventing the ink feed roller from being turned in a direction which would carry ink directly to the reception roller without regulation and a star shaped ink evener adjustably mounted in association with the feed roller so a pair of the star points simultaneously engage the surface of the feed roller longitudinally of its axis.

6. In an inking mechanism, an ink receptacle having extended sides with slots there in, an ink feed roller rotatably mounted within the receptacle, means for allowing the feed roller to be turned only in one direction, an absorbent roller having its support ends car ried in said slots, resilient means for holding the absorbent roller in contact with the feet roller and a star shaped ink evener resiliently mounted between the sides of the receptacle and associated with the feed roller so a pair of the star points simultaneously engage the surface of the feed roller longitudinally of its axis.

7. In an inking mechanism including an ink feed roller, an ink controller for regulating the amount of and evening the ink com prising a star shaped device adjustably mounted so a pair of the star points or edges engages simultaneously and substantially equally the surface of the feed roller.

8. In an inking mechanism including an ink feed roller, an ink controller for regulating the amount of and uniformly spreading the ink on the feed roller, comprising a device having a plurality of pairs of spaced portions terminating in relatively sl'iarp edges, means for adjustably holding anv se lected pair of said edges in engagement with the surface of the feed roller, said spaced por tions forming an ink trap between themselves and the surface of the feed roller.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

LAWRENCE J. ZAHN. 

